| Graduation Year | Class of 1946 |
| Date of Passing | Nov 20, 2005 |
| About | Joseph J. Verkin, 77, of Genoa, Ohio, died early Sunday, November 20, 2005, in the Edward & Marion Hospice Center, Perrysburg, Ohio. Joe was born in Genoa on March 3, 1928, to Mike and Mary (Svetlock) Verkin. He married Iva M. (Smith) in Genoa on February 27, 1953 and she preceded him in death in 1974. Joe graduated from Genoa High School in 1946 and later entered the U.S. Air Force, serving in the Korean war. He spent 2 years in the Philippines and returned to the U.S. serving one year with the Jefferson Barrick Cemetery Detail in St. Louis, MO and later with the Military Burial Corps located in Niagara Falls, NY. From 1954 until 1994 Joe worked for and later co-owned the Siglar & Sieving Company of Genoa. After his retirement he continued to work for them for several years. Joe spent his entire life in the Genoa community starting in the 1950's as a part time police officer. He served terms on the Genoa Park Board, Genoa Zoning Board, and 23 years on the Genoa Village Council, also serving as its president. Joe was the Mayor of Genoa from 2000-03 a term of service which he was very proud of, completing many projects already in progress and starting new ones for the future growth of the village. Jo was also very involved with Ottawa County serving as a board member of the original Advisory & Appeals Board for Building Standards of Ottawa County, a board member of the Ottawa County Economic Development Committee, and the Ottawa County Regional Planning Committee. He was a past trustee and member of the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments and a member of the Mayors & Managers of Northwest Ohio. Joe was a life member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Genoa where over the years he sang in the choir, was an usher, and was on the Maintenance Committee for many years taking care of the church buildings and grounds. Joe was a member of the 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus in Genoa since 1954 and had been a member of the 4th Degree for many years. He was a long time member of the Clay-Genoa Volunteer Fire Department and a member of the American Legion Post #324 of Genoa. Survivors include his daughters, Michele L. (David) Oleszczuk of Lenanon, OH, Deborah M. (John) Siebert of Genoa, OH; grandchildren, Justin Olezczuk, Matthew Oleszczuk, Sarah & Dan Montanye, Natalie Herman, Ellen Herman and Eric Herman, and his special friend, Diane Dickinson. Also surviving are his siblings, Andrew (Marie) Verkin, Genoa, Mary (John) Knurek, Genoa, Ann Jozwiak, Toledo, Mildred (Jim) Evans, Fairfax, VA, Magdelene Johnson, Ft. Myers, FL and Margaret (Don) Smith of MI. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; brothers, John, Michael, and Steve Verkin and sister, Helen Meng. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, November 23, 2005, at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Genoa. Visitation will be in the Robinson-Walker Funeral Home, Genoa, from 6-8 p.m., Monday, November 21 and from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, November 22. Scripture services will be conducted by the Knights of Columbus at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening in the funeral home. Interment will be in the Clay Township Cemetery, Genoa with graveside services conducted by the American Legion Post #324 of Genoa. The family suggests memorial contributions, in Joe's name, be to the church, the church Grotto Fund, or Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Perrysburg, OH. |
